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I Killed The Prom Queen’s “classic lineup”, featuring Jona Weinhofen, Kevin Cameron, Michael Crafter, JJ Peters, and Sean Kennedy, were supposed to play a one-off show at next year’s UNIFY Gathering, but the band have since been dropped from the festival. Organizers decided to cancel the performance after receiving backlash due to past sexist comments made by Crafter.

The following statement was issued:

“Today UNIFY Gathering has made the decision, with the backing of band members, to remove I Killed The Prom Queen from the lineup for Unify Gathering 2019.

We made this decision because historical comments made on social media by former member Michael Crafter, who was to re-appear as guest singer of I Killed the Prom Queen for their one- off 2004 nostalgia set. These comments fall well short of today’s community standards and were considered deeply offensive to many people within our music community.

These comments are completely unacceptable and contrary to our deeply held values and beliefs that music is for everyone and to be enjoyed by all.

We want to create a culture of positive change within the music industry and it’s our responsibility to call out unacceptable behaviour wherever we see it.

UNIFY is committed to ensuring a safe place for anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy music. This is why we jointly launched the ‘Your Choice’ initiative, aimed at addressing cultural issues and harmful behaviour within the music festival landscape.

On reflection, we acknowledge that Michael Crafter shouldn’t have been chosen to appear at Unify Gathering 2019. We’d like to acknowledge that the members of the band have been really open and helpful in this conversation, and we wish them the best moving forward.”

“Two years ago and plenty of time years previously, I said a lot of dumb stuff online to troll, cause drama and bait people to piss them off. Things I said then are not a reflection of who I am today, as two years is a long time. I completely understand why people are pissed off, and I am sorry and I really regret it. I want women to succeed in music, my daughter included if that’s the path she chooses. I’m massive on being positive and pushing yourself and think my life nowadays is a reflection on that…”

If you’re curious about what he said, the following comment has been circulating online: